Planting Tre e s - claytonmo.gov

Planting Tre e s

From the Ground UpYour Guide to Planting the Right Tree in the Right Place

3 6 5 . A N D T H E N S O M E .

23811_Ameren 1/10/06 10:41 AM Page 3

Table of Contents

B e n e fiting From Foliage 2

L e a rning the Basics 2

Saving Energ y 3

Avoiding Pro b l e m s 5

A m e re n ’s Activities 6

A Wo rd About Wood Chips 6

Some Basics About

L a n d s c a p i n g 7

Simple Steps for

Planting Tre e s 7

Trees With Pro b l e m s 8

I m p roved Va r i e t i e s 8

Tree Species

C h a r a c t e r i s t i c s 9

R e f e re n c e s :

W h e re to Go for Help 1 2

23811_Ameren 1/10/06 10:41 AM Page 4

1A m e re n

A m e ren Corporation is expanding its role beyond that of a reliable

energy supplier to serving as a valuable partner in

helping you use energy effic i e n t l y. ✹ This guide is

part of that effort. We created this publication to

answer some of the most commonly asked questions

about landscaping. It suggests native and well-

adapted trees for our region and offers tips on

selecting and planting them successfully. It also

offers advice on selecting the right tree for the right

place – where to plant, what to plant and what not

to plant. ✹ This information is also offered to help

p revent avoidable disruptions of electric service

caused by tree limbs that become entangled in

lines, trees that fall on lines or windblown branches

that cross lines. ✹ We hope this guide helps you

contribute to the greening of our communities and

leads you to discover that there are opportunities

for saving energy right in your own backyard.

23811_Ameren 1/10/06 10:41 AM Page 1

2

B e n e fiting from FoliageTrees absorb pollution created by industrial plant emissions and automotive exhaust. They help prevent

soil from washing and blowing away, suppress noise, and serve as vital animal habitats. Even more important to your pocketbook, properly placed trees can substantially reduce home energy

consumption by providing shade for roofs and walls. Three well-placed trees around a house can cut energyneeds for home air conditioning by 10 to 15 percent.

In addition to saving you money, trees can help the environment: Declining energy use translates to less need to burn fossil fuels to generate energy.

Besides, planting trees is good for your community. To d a y, only one tree is planted for every four that die or are removed in American cities and towns.

All other factors being equal, trees and shrubs help beautify neighborhoods and can add up to 20 percent to the value of a typical home.

Learning the BasicsA general rule of thumb is: Remember to place the right tree in the right place. Also choose trees that are

h a r d y, appropriate for your climate, and provide a good shade canopy. Take into consideration the tree’s fallc o l o r, branching and whether it has flowers or fruit.

Also buy trees that will fit the site at maturity. Before you purchase a tree, find out what it will look like whenit is fully grown; then visualize how a tree of that size and shape would look in your yard. For example, a treethat grows to about 40 feet at maturity works best as a background – that is, planted behind the home – or toframe the home on either side. That size tree is also better for a one-story home. Multi-story homes benefit fromlarger trees (over 40 feet). Smaller trees work best for streetside locations.

T h e r e ’s a tendency to buy fast-growing trees to have a mature tree in your yard as quickly as possible. Butthey offer several disadvantages and usually aren’t the best choice. For example, fast-growing trees generallyhave softer wood, making them susceptible to damage from ice storms, high winds and heavy snow. Fast-growingspecies also are relatively short-lived, have poor branching habits and are more prone to disease. Slower growingspecies tend to live longer, have strong, dense wood, attract wildlife and are less prone to damage from insectsand disease.

(For a list of problem trees, see page 8 in this publication.)

A

A

A

AWHY PLANT TREES?

W H AT IMPACT CAN

LANDSCAPIN G AN D TREE

PLAN TIN G HAVE ON THE

VALUE OF MY PROPERT Y ?

Q

Q

W H AT GENERAL

ADVICE CAN YOU OFFER

BEFORE I GO OUT TO

BUY A TREE?

WHICH IS BETTER:

FA S T-GROWING OR

S L O W-GROWING SPECIES?

Q

Q

23811_Ameren 1/10/06 10:41 AM Page 2

3

Planting methods should be adjusted to fit soil types. Poorly drained clay soils, typical of modern urban devel-opments in this region, require procedures that differ from well-drained, friable (crumbly) soils found in manyolder neighborhoods. Soil reaction, or pH, is an indicator of nutrient availability. In slightly acidic to neutralsoils, most nutrients are available at optimal levels, while some nutrients are less available in alkaline soils.

Consult your nursery or arborist about what vegetation and trees perform best in the soil available in youryard. County offices of the University of Missouri Extension Service or the Illinois Cooperative Extension Servicewill test soils for nominal fees.

The natural way to invite birds into your yard is to use trees and shrubs that provide food and shelter. Thenumber of species of birds that feed on a particular plant can vary. Many birds feed regularly on berries – theirfavorite being bright and decorative. Consider planting trees and shrubs with fruits that remain as a food sourcethroughout the winter.

Leaves and berries on a number of plants can be poisonous. If you have young children around, check withextension agents, your nursery or landscape designer to make sure you are not planting poisonous plants wherechildren play.

Saving EnergyYes. Proper use of trees, shrubs and vines can minimize the effects of the factors responsible for unwanted

heat or cold. Here are some techniques that will help:• Directly shade your house from both direct sunlight and reflected light from the ground, buildings, and

s k y. For example, use shrubbery to shade glass patio doors from late afternoon rays.• Use plants to reduce the transfer of cool or hot air around your house. Reducing the amount of energy

needed to cool or heat a house during times of peak temperatures allows homeowners to use smaller air conditioners or heating units.

• Plant trees to reduce the velocity of wind striking outside walls of your house and to moderate temperaturefluctuations inside.

A

A

A

A

CAN LANDSCAPI NG

HELP ME SAVE ON HEAT I N G

AND COOLING COSTS?

Q

HOW IMPORTAN T

IS SOI L IN DETERMI NING

THE SUCCESS OF PLANTING?

W H AT TREES ARE

BEST FOR AT T R A C T I N G

B I R D S ?

ARE PLANTS

POISONOUS FOR

C H I L D R E N ?

Q

Q

Q

U S I N G E N E R G Y M O R E E F F I C I E N T L Y

23811_Ameren 1/10/06 10:41 AM Page 3

4

Your first priority should be to shade windows, especially those on the east and west sides of your house. If trees are planted on the south side, they should be pruned along the lower portion of the trunk to allow maximum solar heating of walls in winter.

In general, for energy savings, shade as much of the roof and walls as possible. If you must make a choicebetween dense shade covering a smaller portion of the roof and walls or less-dense shade covering more area,the larger, but less-dense, coverage is more benefic i a l .

Deciduous varieties, such as maple, oak and ash trees, are leafy in the warmer months – late spring, summerand early fall – but drop their leaves in late fall, while evergreens hold their needles throughout the year.Deciduous trees planted on the west and southwest sides of a house will provide cooling shade in the summer,but in the winter, the bare branches will let most of the sunshine through to warm the house.

Evergreens can be used effectively not only for their year-round decorative appearance, but also as excellentprotection against winter winds. A windbreak of evergreens planted to the north and west of your house can saveenergy during the winter. The use of evergreen trees or tall growing shrubs must be restricted to areas where thep l a n t ’s shadow does not fall on the south-facing windows during winter months.

(Also see pages 9-11 in this bro c h u re for a listing of trees, their heights at maturity and other characteristics.)

Yes. By shading your air conditioner, the air temperature in the shaded area is lower. This will signific a n t l yincrease the operating efficiency and life of your air conditioner. The air conditioner area should be completelyshaded during the late afternoons of the warmest months (July and August) by planting as close to due west ofthe unit as possible. One caution: The exhaust from an air conditioning unit can kill a sapling that is planted tooclose to that part of the unit.

Other vegetation should be grown on trellises two feet to three feet away from the air conditioner to avoidobstructing the air intakes and to allow access to the unit. Place shrubs far enough away so that shadows –rather than leaves – fall on the air conditioner.

A

A

ATO GAIN THE GREAT E ST

EN ERGY EFFICIEN CY

THROUGH LANDSCAPING,

W H AT WOULD AMEREN

R E C O M M E N D ?

CAN YOU NAME SOME

TYPES OF TREES AND

OFFER SOME TECHNIQUES

T H AT WOULD BE BEST

FOR SAVING ENERGY?

IS IT A GOOD I DEA TO

PLAN T TREES OR OTHER

V E G E TATI ON SO THAT

THEY SHADE MY AIR

C O N D I T I O N E R ?

Q

Q

Q

23811_Ameren 1/10/06 10:41 AM Page 4

Avoiding ProblemsAll power lines – overhead and underground. Again, when planting trees, you should consider planting the

right tree in the right place. Strong winds, wet snow, sleet and ice storms can cause trees and limbs to fall across power lines, putting you

and your neighbors in the dark. Falling limbs and trees can result in risk to the public from downed power linesand in property damage. To avoid planting a tree that might grow into power lines, check trees for mature sizesbefore purchasing any tree type.

(Consult your nursery or arborist. Also see pages 9-11 in this bro c h u re for listings of trees and their heightsat maturity and other characteristics.)

If you want a tall tree, don’t plant it within 35 feet of overhead lines; tall trees growing near lines, even when trimmed properly, will need pruning in later years. Even if these trees are trimmed properly, they will looksomewhat unnatural. Pruning is done to ensure delivery of safe and reliable electric service.

You can have safe and beautiful trees near power lines ifsmall-maturing trees are planted and regularly pruned while the trees are young and small. Varieties of these smaller treesinclude crabapples, hawthorns and cherries. Avoid plantingpoplars, elms, silver maple and other fast-growing varieties.

Trees planted near lines should reach a height of no morethan 25 feet.

Use this chart or the graphic showing examples of plantingsthat provide safe spacing as a handy reference:

A

AW H AT SHOULD

YOU AVOID WHEN

LANDSCAPIN G?

BUT POWER LI NES

ARE EVERYWHERE,

SO WHAT KIN DS OF

TREES CAN I PLANT

NEAR LI NES?

Q

Q


* Within either side of the overhead line. If you plan to plantnear a cross-country transmission line (typically those withsteel structures), please call an Ameren Customer ServiceCenter.

** See pages 9-11 in this brochure for listings of trees andtheir heights at maturity and other characteristics.

D I S TANCE FROM C HOOSE TREES WI THHIGH V OLTAGE THIS MAXIMUMOVERHEAD L INE* HEIGHT AT MAT U R I T Y * *

Up to 20 feet 25 feet tall

20 to 30 feet 25–45 feet tall

Beyond 30 feet Over 45 feet tall

Small Trees (under 25 ft.)Flowering CrabappleFlowering DogwoodHawthornRedbudJapanese MapleRussian OliveAmur MapleAmerican BladdernutFringetreeTrident MapleI v o ry Silk Lilac

Large Trees (over 45 ft.)Green AshShag Bark HickorySugar MapleBur OakNorthern Red OakPecanWhite PineScotch PineNorway SpruceSweetgumBlack Walnut

Medium Trees (25-45 ft.)Amur Cork TreeLacebark ElmGoldenrain Tree, PanicleThornless HoneylocustAmerican HornbeamJuniper Japanese PagodaCallery PearRed PineSassafras

Shrubs (up to 15 ft.)Burning BushForsythiaHoneysuckleLilacMockorangeRose-of-SharonWahooPyracantha

EXAMPLES OF PLANTINGS THAT PROVIDE

SAFE SPA CIN G FROM OVERHEAD LINES

15'45' 35' 5

23811_Ameren 1/10/06 10:41 AM Page 5

6

Call an Ameren Customer Service Center, and a Forestry Department representative will visit you to determinethe proper course of action.

They can be. Always check the location of underground services before starting any digging project, includingtree planting. Cutting into a line can be deadly. How can you tell which kind of service you have? Easy. If youdon’t see overhead lines nearby or wires coming into your house, your service is underground. Besides electriclines, there is also danger in uncovering or damaging telephone cables, cable television, gas or sewage lines.Check before you dig. In Missouri, call 1-800-344-7483, and in Illinois, call 1-800-892-0123, before starting anyexcavation work. If necessary, utility representatives will meet you at the site to determine the location of underground facilities and avoid costly damage, danger to you and time delays.

A m e re n ’s ActivitiesIn 2001, Ameren announced its first annual $25,000 contribution to Forest Releaf as the premier sponsor of

project CommuniTree-a 10 acre nursery operation. Established in 1996, volunteers grow trees at the nursery forplanting on public properties and nonprofit facilities throughout Missouri and into Illinois. Based in Missouri,Forest Releaf is committed to guiding and inspiring personal and community stewardship of trees and forest.Through Project CommuniTree, based in Berkeley, Mo., the nonprofit organization has distributed more than18,000 free trees for public plantings in parks, at schools and along municipal streets. For many years, Amerenhas provided grants to encourage the planting of trees and gardens; the company’s sponsorship of ProjectC o m m u n i Tree continues that tradition with an organization that has demonstrated a strong commitment to theregion and the environment. Individuals, organizations, community groups and municipalities are eligible toapply to Forest ReLeaf for the trees, which are available on a first-come, first-served basis each spring and fall.Recipients are asked to care for the trees for at least three years after planting. (For more information, call toll-free 1-888-4-RELEAF or St. Louis, call 314-533-LEAF. )

A Word About Wood ChipsAmeren will deliver a load of wood chips to you at no charge when crews contracted by Ameren are working

in your neighborhood. If you see a tree-trimming crew in your neighborhood, you can ask the foreman if there areany wood chips available. Keep in mind that a normal load measures 10 to 12 cubic yards. For more information,customers can call an Ameren Customer Service Center.

A

A

AW H AT SHOULD I DO IF

I HAVE A TREE THAT IS

GROWING I NTO POWER

L I N E S ?

W H AT ABOUT

UNDERGROUND LINES?

ARE THEY A PROBLEM?

Q

Q

W H AT IS AMEREN

DOI NG TO ENCOURAGE

USE OF TREES AS AN

E N V I R O N M E N TA L

R E S O U R C E ?

Q

23811_Ameren 1/10/06 10:41 AM Page 6

7

Some Basics About Landscaping• Avoid planting trees directly beneath power lines,

near poles or too close to electrical equipment. The diagram on page 5 can be used as a guide tosafe spacing from overhead lines for various species of trees.

• Don’t plant a large tree too close to a house. It mayloosen roofing, mar paint and clog gutters withleaves. A shallow-rooted and weak tree could fallonto the house, causing major damage.

• Avoid trees with low branches that are too close tothe driveway and can scratch cars.

• Avoid planting large trees in the area between the

curb and the sidewalk. These areas are typically notlarge enough to support the growth habits for treeswith a mature height over 25 feet.

• Remove limbs of large shade trees that can obscurestreet signs and traffic lights, creating a hazard for motorists and pedestrians. Screening your owndriveway so that you cannot see approaching trafficis also dangerous.

• Don’t plant shallow-rooted trees that can clog sewerlines causing damage.

• Plant clean trees – those that don’t shed fruit orflowers – near the patio to avoid littering the area.


Simple Steps for Planting Tre e sDig a hole three times wider than the tree’s rootball and no deeper than necessary to cover ther o o t s .Make sure the root ball doesn’t have compacted,circling roots. Loosen them with your fin g e r t i p s .K e e p the delicate roots moist and out of directs u n l i g h t .Place the tree at the correct depth (with the topof the root ball at or just above the soil surface)and at a right angle to the ground.Partially fill the hole, lightly pack the soil aroundthe roots with the handle of your shovel to elimi-n a t e air pockets and water. Refill and pack againuntil the soil is even with the top of the root ball.Stake and tie the tree only if stability is a problem.If a tree continues to lean in the planting hole,staking is always recommended. In most cases,

staking only requires a single metal fence post or long wooden stake driven into the ground twoto three feet from the tree. Leave enough of thestake above ground so at least the top of the stakeis even with the lowest branch. To prevent barkdamage, attach the tree to the stake by a rope ortwine through a piece of hose. Don’t leave thestake on for more than two growing seasons. Use the leftover soil to form a 4" deep by 3' widewater basin around the tree. WATER DEEPLY !Place a circle of mulch around the newly plantedtree to conserve soil moisture and moderate soiltemperatures. The mulch should cover an areafour times the diameter of the root ball and bethree to four inches deep. Mulch should be pulledaway from the trunk of the tree to prevent diseaseor rot.

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

23811_Ameren 1/10/06 10:41 AM Page 7

AILANTHUS: ( Tree of Heaven) This durable tree willgrow almost anywhere. It has an extensive root system.Root suckers and sprouts spring up along that systemcausing the tree to take over the landscape. It is notrecommended for small urban sites.

EASTERN COTTONWOOD: This fast-growing tree canwithstand heat and poor soils. Its massive productionof cotton-like seeds can cause allergy problems andclog air conditioners. Even the cottonless variety produces a massive root system that can destroy sewers, walks and foundations. And its branches are susceptible to wind and ice damage.

WHITE BIRCH: This short-lived ornamental tree ishighly susceptible to bronze birch borer, birch leaf

miner and other serious pests. A popular tree, it issomewhat tolerant of city environments but is not atree that can be depended upon to survive.

LOMBARDY POPLAR: This is a very short-lived tree. It may live only 10 years before disease and wood bores destroy it. The tree also has a weak wood that is susceptible to wind and ice damage.

S I LVER MAPLE: This is a widely planted tree but onewith weak wood that is susceptible to wind and iced a m a g e .

AMERI CAN ELM: The native American Elm is amongthe fastest-growing and reaches a great height but isbeing ravaged by Dutch Elm disease.

Trees with Problems

8

23811_Ameren 1/10/06 10:41 AM Page 8

AttractiveOrnamental, Spring,

Shade, Summer Yellow toFast, Full Sun, Windbreak, Improved Flowers, Reddish,

Moderate, Partial Shade, Broadleaf Varieties Fall & Winter Orange to RedCommon Name Slow Shade Evergreen Available Fruit Fall leaf color Botanical Name

Yoshino Cherry F F O Sp Y Prunus Yedoensis

Corkscrew Willow F/M F O ✓ Y Salix matsudana

Flowering Crabapple M F O ✓ Sp Malus

Flowering Dogwood M/S P/S O ✓ Sp R Cornus florida

Washington Hawthorne M/S F/P O ✓ Sp Y/R Crataegus phaenopyrum

American Holly S F/P O/B ✓ F Ilex opaca

Amur Maple M F/P O ✓ Y/R Acer ginnala

Japanese Maple S P/S O Acer palmatum

Redbud M F/P O ✓ Sp Y Cercis canadensis

Rose-of-Sharon F F O ✓ S Y Hibiscus syriacus

Serviceberry M S O ✓ Sp Y/R Amelanchier arborea

American Smoketree M F O ✓ Sp Y/O/R Cotinus obovatus

Sumac F F O ✓ R Rhus typhina

Amur Cork Tree M F O Y Phellodenron amurense

Lacebark Elm M F/P O/S Y Ulmus parvifolia

Tree Species Characteristics

9


Small (Up to 25 feet at maturity)

Medium (25-45 feet at maturity)

23811_Ameren 1/10/06 10:41 AM Page 9




Goldenrain Tree, Panicle M F O/S Sp Koelreuteria paniculata

Thornless Honeylocust F/M F O/S ✓ Y Gleditsia triacanthos

American Hornbeam S F O/S Y/O Carpinus caroliniana

Japanese Pagoda M F O ✓ Y Sophoro japonica

Juniper M F/P W ✓ Juniperus virginiana

Red Pine M F O/S/W Pinus resinosa

Sassafras F F/P O/S O/R Sassafras albidum

Green Ash F F S ✓ Y Fraxinus pennsylvanica

Baldcypress M F/P O/S Y Taxodium distichum

Blackgum M F/P O/S O/R Nyssa sylvatica

Ginkgo M/S F O/S ✓ Y Ginkgo biloba

Shag Bark Hickory M/S F/P O/S Y Carya ovata

Japanese Zelkova F/M F O/S ✓ Y Zelkova serrata

Kentucky Coffeetree F/M F/P O/S Y Gymnocladus dioicus

Littleleaf Linden M F O/S ✓ Sp Y Tilia cordata

10

Large (Over 45 feet at maturity)


23811_Ameren 1/10/06 10:41 AM Page 10




Norway Maple M F/P O/S ✓ Y/R Acer platanoides

Red Maple F/M F/P O/S ✓ O/R Acer rubrum

Sugar Maple M F O/S ✓ R/Y Acer saccharum

Bur Oak S F S F Y Quercus macrocarpa

English Oak M/S F S F Y Quercus robur

Northern Red Oak M F S F O/R Quercus rubra

Shumard Oak M F S F O/R Quercus shumardii

Pecan M F S ✓ F Y Carya illinoensis

Eastern White Pine M F O/S/W F Pinus strobus

Scotch Pine M F O/S/W F Pinus sylvestris

River Birch F F O/S ✓ Y Betula nigra

Blue Spruce S F O/S/W ✓ F Picea pungens

Norway Spruce S F O/S/W F Picea abies

Sweetgum F/M F O/S ✓ F O/R Liquidambar styraciflua

Tuliptree F F O/S Sp Y Liriodendron tulipifera

Black Walnut M F F Y Juglans nigra

11



23811_Ameren 1/10/06 10:41 AM Page 11

R e f e rences: Where to Go for HelpThis booklet is designed to give you broad guidelines on the selection, planting and care of new trees. Here is alisting of other sources of more specific information and expert help as you select and add trees or shrubs toyour home’s landscape:

In Missouri: 1-800-344-7483 (1-800-DIG-RITE)In Illinois: 1-800-892-0123

Forest Releaf of Missouri: 888-4-RELEAFUniversity of Illinois Extension: 217-782-4617Illinois Department of Natural Resources: 217-785-8744Missouri Department of Conservation: 573-522-4115Missouri University Extension Service

(Each county has a university extension office; check your local directory)The National Arbor Day Foundation, Nebraska City, NE: 1-888-448-7337

Missouri Botanical Garden Center for Home Gardening: 314-577-9440Hortline Garden Information: 314-776-5522

AVOIDING UNDERGROUND

UTILITY FACILITIES:

GENERAL IN FORMAT I O N

ON TREE PLAN TI NG

AND CARE:

GENERAL GARDEN ING

I N F O R M AT I O N :

12

23811_Ameren 1/10/06 10:41 AM Page 12

13

Based in St. Louis, MO., Ameren Corporation was created with the year-

end 1997 merger of Union Electric, now doing business as AmerenUE, and

CIPSCO Incorporated, once the parent company of Springfield, Ill.-based

A m e r e n C I P S . ✹ Ameren has grown since then to include Peoria, Ill.

based AmerenCILCO and Decatur, Ill.-based AmerenIP. To d a y, Ameren

Corporation provides energy services to 2.3 million electric and 900,000 natural gas

customers over 64,000 square miles in Illinois and Missouri. Among the nation’s top

utility companies in size and sales, Ameren prides itself on a long tradition of cost

containment, low rates, customer service and preservation of the environment. ✹

As a National Arbor Day Foundation Tree Line USA utility, Ameren demonstrates

practices that protect and enhance America’s urban forests. For more information on

A m e r e n ’s Vegetation Management Program, visit our Web site at www. a m e r e n . c o m .

About A m e re n


23811_Ameren 1/10/06 10:41 AM Page 13

Other Ameren Environmental Services:

• C o m p ressed Air Analysis

• Chilled Water Optimization

• Wa t e r / Wastewater Process Effic i e n c y

• Lighting Efficiency Analysis

• E n e rgy Center Outsourcing

To inquire about these services,

please call A m e ren a t 1.800.552.7583.

Visit our web site at www. a m e re n . c o m

365. And then some.

Printed on recycled paper. Please recycle.12050717-5M

23811_Ameren 1/10/06 10:41 AM Page 2

Planting Tre e s - claytonmo.gov

Documents

Transcript of Planting Tre e s - claytonmo.gov